BY SUSAN KIM | BALTIMORE |
September 16, 2005

Tropical storm warnings were posted in eastern New England as Tropical Storm Ophelia churned northward on Friday. The warnings were issued for Rhode Island's coast and for parts of southeastern Massachusetts. Widespread or severe damage was not expected.

Ophelia still had sustained winds of 60 mph Friday.

The storm dropped heavy rain over parts of eastern North Carolina but that state appeared to have dodged heavy damage. An evacuation order for Hatteras Island was lifted early Friday.

More than 9,000 homes and businesses remained without power in North Carolina Friday.